As we are all aware, or should be, “Communication” is becoming a big deal in today’s science world. Not only is it important for publishing our work and getting research funding, but we must also be able to modify our language to clearly articulate the relevance of our work to policy makers and the public. Because of this high level of importance, we dedicate workshops to it at conferences, we bring seminar speakers in to teach about it, and practice it in various classes. The good news is, learning to meet this increased and important demand to better communicate our science does not have to be this scary thing that we pretend isn’t there; learning it can be fun!

This year, The Pub Club is going to be building on what founder Bethany Huot began last year. In combination with TPC’s #MyOtherBench (click here) campaign, we have started a Twitter hashtag and list called #TPCOnTheRoad. The purpose is to make it easier for members to share their valuable conference experiences and other science related travels with their colleagues back home and around the world. We will then do as Bethany did in 2016 and turn these Tweets into timeline stories of the events using Storify (click here) to allow those who couldn’t attend to benefit from the experience. Bethany’s Storify on Sharon Long’s presentation was “Scooped” by The Kamoun Lab and in the 10 months since IS-MPMI Congress has been viewed over 8200 times! Participating in our OnTheRoad campaign also benefits the “Tweeter” as it allows them to practice pulling out “The Big Idea” of the science and to refine their skill at making a coherent science point in 144 characters or less.

TPC will be helping you in your efforts in the following ways:

Compiling and promoting a list of events members will attend and participate in.

Taking a look at members’ Twitter accounts and helping set up accounts for those without.

Showing how to Tweet pictures and links, and how to use Twitter handles and hashtags.

Setting up the #TPCOnTheRoad list and adding those who wish to participate to it.

Monitoring the list, #TPCOnTheRoad and #MyOtherBench hashtags.

Producing and Posting “Storify” of above.

This should be a fun way to share “The Edge of Science” that summer brings with both our local and global community #TheCOM. Watch for events in the month of June @ThePubClub to get us ready!